Klondike (miniseries)

Production

The Discovery Channel green-lit Klondike in December 2012, believing it would complement its existing programming such as Gold Rush and Jungle Gold. Executive producer Dolores Gavin noted that themes of frontier spirit, man versus nature, man versus man, and man versus self were common to the network's content. It is the network's first scripted miniseries and consists of six parts. Ridley Scott served as executive producer, commenting that the Klondike Gold Rush triggered a flood of ill-equipped prospectors and that the personal adventures were as epic as the landscape. Paul Scheuring, Josh Goldin, and Rachel Abramowitz wrote the script. Production began in March 2013 in Alberta, with Simon Cellan Jones directing, and was expected to take 54 days to shoot six hours of footage. Filming occurred in April on Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country under frigid conditions. A set representing Dawson City was built on the CL Ranch west of Calgary, where warm weather forced actors to wear heavy layers and pretend to be cold.